Horseshoe Leatherjacket, Meuschenia hippocrepis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)
Scientific name: Meuschenia hippocrepis
Alternative name/s:
Purple People Eater, Variable Leatherjacket
Purple People Eater, Variable Leatherjacket
Click to enlarge image
A young Horseshoe Leatherjacket at a depth of 2m, near Marion Bay, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.
Image: David Muirhead
© David Muirhead
© David Muirhead
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Meuschenia
- Species
- hippocrepis
- Family
- Monacanthidae
- Order
- Tetraodontiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 60 cm
Introduction
Adult Horseshoe Leatherjackets can be recognised by the horseshoe-shaped marking on the side of the body. The species occurs from the central coast of Victoria to south-western Western Australia.
Identification
Females and juveniles are similar in colouration to males, but lack a dark cheek bar.
Habitat
The species is usually seen in inshore waters, mostly associated with rocky reefs.
Distribution
The species occurs from the central coast of Victoria to south-western Western Australia.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
